OCCASIONAL NOTE

A remarkable result of the many-headed intrigues which German propaganda is still fostering in the United States, even after that country has been at war with Germany for a year-and-a-half, is a series of semi-secret organisations which have sprung up on the Pacific coast for the purpose of countering this propaganda promptly by a kind of lynch law. So far tarring and feathering represents the utmost punishment meted out by these bodies to persons who have fallen under their ban, but the federal authorities are rightly anxious about the movement, for it contains within itself the seeds of terrorism and disorder which may spread far beyond the bounds originally set for them. The authorities have therefore intimated that they will deal very severely with all who take the law into their own hands. One of the most prominent of these organisations is called the “Knights of Liberty,” which has issued a manifesto indicating that no threats, legal or otherwise, will prevent it from carrying out its appointed task. “We are banded together,” the Knights say, “by the strongest ties of loyalty to our nation, our president, and to aid in every way possible the full execution of the law by the civil and military authorities, and the enforcement of obedience to the Constitution of the United States. We alone are able to render this needed assistance in a quiet, thorough and expeditious manner. We are determined to do it.” It is doubtful whether the pro-German faction allowed for this emergence of lawlessness when they started out on their campaign of sabotage.

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CLERGY IN THE RANKS

The attention of the authorities has been drawn to complaints in a religious publication that clergymen serving as soldiers are employed, even on Sundays, in blacking boots and scrubbing floors. The official reply is that no clergy need enter the ranks at all, and that those who do so from unquestionably patriotic motives are usually supposed to have obtained the permission of their diocesans. However, once posted to a battalion or other unit, the soldier who has taken Holy Orders must not expect to be treated differently from his comrades. The officer commanding is responsible for discipline, and partial treatment would have a bad effect. The following extract from the Army Council Instruction makes the situation clear:- It should be specially noted that all men in Holy Orders, or regular ministers of any religious denomination, may be posted to the R.A.M.C., or any other non-combatant arm of the Service, should they so desire, irrespective of the numbers allotted, provided that they are not below the physical and technical standard required.

THE AGRICULTURAL SITUATION

A Press communiqué says: In view of the present agricultural situation the Government of the United Provinces has arranged for the immediate distribution of takavi on a liberal scale. It is intended to distribute in the districts where the crops have suffered a sum of Rs 150 lakhs for agricultural operations. Suspensions of revenue are also at present under consideration. Arrangements are also in progress for the supply of hay from the Government forests to districts where there is likely to be any serious scarcity of fodder. The Government of India have also sanctioned concession rates for private consignments of fodder from one part of the province to another. Arrangements with regard to this will be made in consultation with the railway authorities.

BRITISH IN OUTSKIRTS OF DOUAI

Reuter learns that we have reached the outskirts of Douai and captured a suburb of i t on the west bank of the Sensee. Practically the whole of the St. Gobain massif has been captured. The French have reached the outskirts of Laon, which is momentarily expected to fall. The Allies have emerged into open country in the neighbourhood of the source of the Louchey river. The whole of the high ground south-east and east of Laon has been evacuated, also the Oise salient. Thus by midday the French had advanced another seven miles in the neighbourhood of Laon. It is pointed out that the enemy’s retreat so far has been carried out in good order and there is no evidence of anything approaching a debacle, although when the enemy’s retirement is carried out he will be in a difficult situation with an awkward salient and will be continually faced with open warfare.